Custom Set Quarahal: Just Developing Some Random Stuff
Custom Cards forum
Posted on Sept. 8, 2014, 12:46 p.m. by pookypuppy6
Yo peeps. Sorry for the lack of Quarahal stuff of late, my custom set has been in a bit of a rut. But be pleased to hear that some of the blockage is starting to subside and hopefully I can begin to form up the commons.
As a thanks (and some work-shifting) to those who have contributed and given feedback and ideas thus far, here is a bunch of cards in my card dump. These are cards I seriously consider for my set, but I show concerns of being "poorly developed", whether in power level or unintuitive design.
As development is a hard thing to see without more pairs of eyes (especially for me), please feel free to give feedback on the following bevvy of cards in a vacuum. Many of these cards you may have seen, but now I am ASKING for develpmental help. Fire away with your cannons, lads and lasses!
pookypuppy6 says... #3
(And more calls because I have no shame: NobodyPicksBulbasaur, wcdorrell, MindAblaze!, GlistenerAgent)
September 8, 2014 3:04 p.m.
UmbrotheUmbreon says... #4
Is this set similar to Planar Chaos in the sense the color chart is thrown out the window and all mixed up? You got things operating in colors that it necessarily isn't normal to operate in.
Also, Load the Coffers should be instant speed, otherwise it's a worse Divination . The fact you have to tap two creatures as well as pay mana should give it an edge to be instant speed and not be broken for a common. I must say I really like Iron Sunflower. 10/10 would run. Powder Monkey needs to be changed. That's a powerful ability at a two drop with that cheap of a cost. Chandra, Pyromaster has that as a minus ability, and she's mythic 4 drop. Mass Swords should be mythic. Selesnya ramp would break that shit to ridiculous heights.
Your Cycle cards are whacked a bit. Usually when there is a "cycle" of cards (Titans, Souls, etc) they all work the same way, just with different effects. Your Cycle creatures are doing all kinds of things. Maybe go along the lines of "
, 
: Do X effect." but change the color to match the creature's color.
I really do like the Duplicate and Wardriven mechanics. Both are flavorful and great without being broken.
September 8, 2014 3:19 p.m.
Nigeltastic says... #5
I like most of these a whole lot. My initial thoughts are mostly tweaks as follows:
--Paradox Engineer needs some upside other than being a 5/3 for 5. I would say make the recursion ability something crazy like 
and make him a 5/5. That might make skipping your turn something you'd consider.
--I love the flavor on Belay.
--Load the Coffers maybe could be 2 mana due to the tapping creatures cost.
--Mass Swords might need a better name, and also should probably cost less. It by itself doesn't do a whole lot, as all of the "swords" are unequipped and cost mana to put on your dudes.
-----> I think an interesting direction this card could go is as follows: "Boarding Pikes" - Artifact - Equipment 
- Flash - When ~ enters the battlefield, if it was cast from your hand, for each blocking creature you control, put a token that is a copy of ~ into play equipped to that creature.
Equipped creature gets +1/+0 and first strike. Equip 
September 8, 2014 3:25 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #6
Nigeltastic: Thanks for the feedback. Paradox Engineer does have haste, I initially had it's ability also at 1RU but thought that in multiples the card would be dangerous. Difficult to gauge a card against skipping a turn, isn't it? Your idea for Mass Swords is actually pretty awesome, though it still leaves an excess copy (the original) on the field (that's why I put the minus 1 clause on Mass Swords)
UmbrotheUmbreon: So, what cards are off-colour here and why? Is it because of the tPressgang? While Load The Coffers draws three cards and not two, Nigeltastic also agrees with the lowered costing (though I think flavourfully it would be nicer as a sorcery). I should explain the cycle cards there are not a thematic "cycle", but part of a ten-card cycle of commons with activated abilities of different colours. Will give Mass Swords and Powder Monkey a look.
I'm also very pleased to hear you have positive feedback on my mechanics and even individual cards! I'm chuffed that others find these cards cool and/or solid.
September 8, 2014 3:42 p.m.
UmbrotheUmbreon says... #7
Paradox Engineer has a reanimation effect, which is mostly found in black and a little in white. I originally thought Defensive Ambush had the tokens blocking the attacking creatures, which would mainly be a green thing. I guess the only card that seems off color is Paradox Engineer, which reason was stated earlier. If you keep Paradox Engineer as is, at least make it a , cause skipping an extra turn is hurtful but not if you can reanimate all 4 at once and swing for buttloads of damage
Also, even with a CMC of 2, Load the Coffers would still not be seeing play til turn 3 anyway because of the nature of blue. Even with other colors added and ramp, it would still be hard to get two creatures and 2 mana for turn 2 to cast (also neglected to see it said draw 3, not 2). Keep it a CMC of 3 but make it instant and it'll be balanced but powerful enough.
I disagree with Mass Swords needing to cost less. It's a powerful artifact and with an equip of 
and generating lots of creatures then playing it can really be brutal. Even after the board wipe you can play a creature then slap all the swords onto it at a very cheap price. I do agree it needs a better name, but I can't make such claims cause I suck at names :P
September 8, 2014 4:07 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #8
@UmbrotheUmbreon: I wasn't even really intending the 2U Load The Coffers to be a Turn 3 play. It's a more midrange-y card I imagine, since blue doesn't conjure up creatures that fast even in Limited. I guess it can be 1U, as that will help let the drawn cards be played on that same turn. For reference to the only card similar to it: Shared Discovery .
You make a decent point on the Defensive Ambush in that it may suit green more than blue. So Green/White then? It just felt blue when I designed it as a mass ambush, anti-attack card. But it is kinda aggressive too...
What if Paradox Engineer went into exile whenever it died, and then it has the ability to return from exile? That sounds busted, but it does sound suitably weird and also R/U. It's a shame it kinda wrecks the exile zone as a zone though.
Many of the names are temporary, I should mention.
September 8, 2014 4:41 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #9
Mass Swords -> Sword Rack
And yes, Paradox Engineer shouldn't be a reanimation. Instead it should be a blink effect, with an enter the battlefield Pyroclasm -like effect. Now it fits the izzet colours, and the blink fits the paradox. It is both there and not there. Or you could do phasing.
So ...
- Paradox Engineer /
- Creature - Human Wizard / Rare
- Haste
- Whenever ~ enters the battlefield, ~ deals 3 damage to all creatures.
- : Exile ~, then return it to the battlefield under your control. Permanents you control don't untap during your next turn.
- 4/4
Now this is a good izzet win con. Of course, damage and P/T can be balanced accordingly, but I feel that the cost of everything is balanced. You now can play it's exile ability more efficiently as simple damage spells will have a harder time killing a 4T creature, however the draw back makes it so that you are very vulnerable when you play this but it is still playable. Most people would never even bother playing a card that skips your next turn because of combos.
September 8, 2014 5:17 p.m.
UmbrotheUmbreon says... #10
Okay I can see it being now.
I agree with Femme_Fatale on her interpretation of Paradox Engineer. It fits Izzet perfectly and is balanced
September 8, 2014 5:25 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #11
Femme_Fatale and UmbrotheUmbreon: Really unsure about that version. Any particular reason why iyou feel a Pyroclasm effect would work on the card flavourfully, or if the design really needs it? Also, repeatable board-wipes of anything less than itself plus a hasty body that can dodge removal seems a bit whack to me. The card is fine for red: it has haste, after all. I dunno, maybe I have an aversion to pushing my own cards :p
Small detail, but I do want to keep "Skip your next turn" on the card; the card is inspired by Chronosavant and thus as a Paradox Engineer he should be involved with time shenanigans. I understand the draw on the skipped turn is important; maybe have THAT as the enter the battlefield ability instead? Not sure.
I originally had Paradox Engineer's original ability at 1UR, believe it or not. And again I'll ask if it would be flavourful for it to exile when it dies and then come back from exile with its own ability instead of reanimate? That would suit the colour-flavour better at least, and even work with some Act on Impulse esque cards.
September 8, 2014 5:46 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #12
I hope you realize JUST how much 4 mana is, AND the fact that it deals 3 damage to everything the moment it enters the battlefield. Which means, any one damage will kill it. It is also very suscepticle to removal the moment it enters the battlefield, because really, when are you going to have 9 mana to play it and use its blink to avoid removal. IF you did, then guess what? You are tapped out for the next turn and can't do anything to prevent the removal of it. This draw back is severe enough to limit it's playability, but the effects are useful enough to warrant playing against a lot of decks. As for flavour, Izzet Charm . A lot of izzet cards deal in both evasion protection and damage at the same time.
The term Paradox doesn't actually relate to time. Anything can be a paradox, and the fact that it can both exist and doesn't exist at the same time is very much a paradox. Also consider, Shrodinger's Cat. Or this sentence: I am lying. In fact, that is the best flavour text for this card ever. I am lying. If you want this card to be white, make it orzhov, and make it a cleric or a monk instead of an izzet wizard with an engineer name. Like ... Paradox Scholar or the likes.
The last point, no. That is reserved mainly for white. Not blue or red.
September 8, 2014 5:56 p.m.
UmbrotheUmbreon says... #13
I think that can work, where it comes back from exile. I don't see how skipping turns is blue's thing though. If anything blue WANTS extra turns. I don't know though. To be honest it seems good as is.
September 8, 2014 5:57 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #14
@UmbrotheUmbreonThe way I see it, unlike Chronosavant (which is just big), the haste and strong power makes it have a much larger impact. I can see it being a sort-of "final turn" card that can be used hardcast earlier in the game to help get you there, then once gone can pose an extra threat late-game. Hell, in an aggressive deck the "skip a turn" may not even matter. That seems strong. But mostly the flavour is where this card is meant to be at.
Skipping a turn (or untap step) is uncommon yes, but is mostly in blue. Chronatog , Magosi, the Waterveil , Meditate , Brine Elemental , though some effects can be seen in black, red and even Eater of Days .
So let's assume I kept the card basically as is (exile or reanimation deal aside): What would you cost that last ability as? 3UR, 2UR, 1UR?
September 8, 2014 6:09 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #15
@Femme_Fatale: Paradoxes are a difficult concept in Magic to nail down. Paradox Haze has it be messing with time, as in extra steps. Paradox could work with blinking, but it doesn't often seem to represent being in to different places at once or being there and not there (the art on Cloudshift notwithstanding). A tough one. I think both interpretations work fine;. Really, the name "Paradox Engineer" doesn't have to be dead-set; I just chose it as it seemed pretty likely that a Paradox Engineer of all people would be able to ressurect himself from the dead, gain time with a fast and surprising attack and then lose time as well.
As for your above redesign, I do get your arguments on it's suspectbility to removal. I still feel that a 3-damage creature wipe is a lot though, and the possibility for consistent board wipes AND a haste attacker irks me somewhat. Not sure why, it's not like Magma Phoenix is particularly powerful... Then again, it's benefit is not felt as fast as the Engineer here.
I should also mention that while yes, white does deal the most in the exile zone, it is not exclusive to it on rarer cards. In fact, looking at a few of the rarer creatures, white seems to deal with more permanent exile (Angel of Glory's Rise , Devout Lightcaster , etc); while blue can often deal in temporary exile and often it's own creatures (see Colossal Whale for the former or Misthollow Griffin or Argent Sphinx for the latter). there is even overlap between these effects. So yeah, blinking is fine, but with this is mind I'm not too unhappy over the colour pie on this case with using the exile zone in this way here. Rare is a bit less of a dangerous area in the colour pie than it is at, say, common.
September 8, 2014 6:46 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #16
More designs wishing for different development perspectives. Mostly black and artifact cards for now, plus a Mark II of Paradox Engineer.
September 8, 2014 7:06 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #17
Here is one thing with exiling, you can't use an ability while exiled. Rather than have a cost, make it have Suspend instead. I'd say 2 time counters are good enough. And once again, this card won't really see play, because losing an entire turn for three mana just for 5 damage that can be blocked or removed? It is too much of a drawback. You need to have a benefit for this to make it worth while.
September 8, 2014 7:54 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #18
@Femme_Fatale: Can you give me a ruling on that one? Again, I'm reminded of Misthollow Griffin and the ability to be cast from exile shouldn't be able to work under that logic, so how do abilities work in the exile zone? It should be similar to abilities working in the graveyard or many other non-battlefield zones, right? Nevertheless, I can't use Suspend; that mechanic isn't evergreen and it's not one of the set mechanics either.
I'm glad for the feedback on the playability and powah, because a different set of eyes is needed for this kind of thing... but it also highlights how poorly I see other people's perspectives. I do see a 5/3 Haste for five that can come back and attack with haste again quite powerful, perhaps not a strong prioirty in any given Standard format but certainly good in Limited. I also feel that it's the kind of card some players would love to build around, or enjoy
September 8, 2014 8:18 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #19
It is a general rule that was made quite a long time ago that WotC really SHOULD NOT be breaking. Something that enters the exile zone stays in the exiled zone, and I believe this wholeheartedly. Cards these days have more access to the exiled zone than they had access to the graveyard in the first few sets. WotC had to make another zone to represent "officially removed". Sooner or later we are going to need a third zone. The fully banished exiled zone.
And no, it won't be good in limited, because the moment it comes back, bolt or blade, you get no benefit, and you lose the next turn.
September 9, 2014 1:26 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #20
@Femme_Fatale: I can't help but say with my gut (and my head) that I disagree on that last point. A 5/3 Haste for 5 that you can use again to me just doesn't seem like something that couldn't hope to meaningfully affect the board or cause damage in such a format. And it just seems like a fun card to play a calculated risk on to me. Will this help me win right now, or shall I save it for later? Can my opponent remove it? Hell, I'd play Chronosavant in Limited, it's a beast in topdeck mode.
I may up its power and toughness if the 3 toughness is a problem though, 6/4, 7/5, may experiment.
It's fine that we disagree though, as different players are going to see the same card differently and for different roles; for that, I do really appreciate your continued feedback and it has given me a lot to consider. I think we also need to keep in perpective that this one rare it just that: one rare in a set with about 60 of them, 15 mythics and over 150 commons and uncommons. If it turns out to be a miss, then
And your other point on the exile zone seems a smidge pessimistic (to me anyways). You do have a point that a lot of cards are using the exile zone nowadays as a temporary zone (from Psychic Intrusion to Banisher Priest and what have you), but I don't really see that to be causing long-term problems. I doubt we are going to get a slew of cards like Misthollow Griffin walking in and out, and the exile zone has led to some super creative cards that I think mechanically separates itself very well from the graveyard, if not in description then in practice. I will be careful though, this set isn't meant to be exile-happy. The Engineer and the Powder Monkey will likely be among a v. small number of cards on that one.
Also keep in mind that for all this talk of Magic's long and illustrious hisory...Quarahal will not be part of it. I speak LIKE it is so I can get the best set possibly, but it's never gonna see print and hurt anyone's metagame. Our colour pie and exile zones shall not be offended by Paradox Engineers any time soon next time FNM comes round.
September 9, 2014 6:56 a.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #21
Thanks for the feedback guys, I always wish to say. These discussions don't just help me out, but they get me pumped up for more and more designing! And motivation is certainly what I need. I'd very much appreciate more feedback (though let's turn away from the Paradox Engineer towards some of the other cards if possible).
I may put on the veneer of a clued-in and professional designer (sarcastic, bitter laugh), but my first set was a hideous mess called Iquatana (yes, based off the planechase card). So I reward the efforts with a peek at my heinous attempt at rare lands...the ECHOLANDS!
September 9, 2014 7:22 a.m.
UmbrotheUmbreon says... #22
Dual lands with Echo but don't come in tapped? I see that as viable and balanced. It helps keep players from massively playing these cards to the point where 3+ color decks dominate, but also allows dual color decks to be versatile among players. I honestly think these lands are great and unique.....Make them real :U
September 9, 2014 1:28 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #23
@UmbrotheUmbreon: Haha, you like them? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a neat idea but...but jolly gee whix, does it mess with your curve. It takes a two-mana bite out of your next turn, which in early turns I feel is hilariously bad. That's a helluva price for instant fixing!
September 9, 2014 1:39 p.m.
UmbrotheUmbreon says... #24
It makes you require basics and other duals that aren't so easy to put out, it lets you tap for either color right away, and with things like Harrow in existence can really abuse the hell out of them. On top of this, it really shines in EDH where mana rocks are things. I think the echo cost balances it out enough to not abuse the hell out of it by running 22 mana fixing lands, but also allows use out of the dual colors.
September 9, 2014 5:59 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #25
Hehe, I have to stay positive that while some designs I perceive as decent are bad, some I perceive as bad are not that bad at all :p
Also, I got a HECK of a lot of work done on the set and have all the blue commons, and nearly all the green and black ones! HUZZAH!!
September 9, 2014 6:02 p.m.
UmbrotheUmbreon says... #26
It'd be nice if I could get some help with my project x.x I have a few ideas for stuff, as well as a whole new game I'm working on. I hope you finish your set though :3
September 9, 2014 7:06 p.m.
SpartanCEL says... #27
Looks good once again! I do want to ask if equipment can be tokens(referring to Mass Swords.) And I think it should be reworded because what I think would happen is all the copies would still have the effect of copying it x times so you'd have infinite amount of +2+0 Enchantments to deal with haha. Also, since you have islandwalk and stuff why not add a few cards like Trait Doctoring . It's confusing at first but it's a neat effect.
pookypuppy6 says... #2
Calling on previous contributors! Epochalyptik, lemmingllama, Femme_Fatale, sergiodelrio, MagicalHacker, SpartanCEL, Nigeltastic! And UmbrotheUmbreon because of kickassness. And anyone else who is well-versed in card development!
I will update this thread with more fixed versions of above cards, plus new cards for development advice and opinion. If all the cards turn out fine somehow, then treat this as an extremely cloudy spoiler season :p
September 8, 2014 2:59 p.m.